The luncheon began at exactly ten in the morning. Though that seemed rather early, it was a welcoming banquet, so there would inevitably be pleasantries before anyone sat down, waiting for guests to take their seats and dishes to be served. By the time that whole process was over, it would be nearly lunchtime anyway.
Schiller came downstairs at exactly ten. A number of people had already gathered in the living room, every one of them wearing black suits with dark gray ties, without a single metal accessory anywhere on their bodies. Their black attire suited the atmosphere of the entire manor perfectly.
Schiller wore a dark brown three-piece suit with a deep blue paisley silk tie. At the center of his breast pocket was an exceptionally dazzling golden hummingbird brooch, making him stand out among the crowd like a peacock displaying its feathers.
The expressions of everyone in the hall immediately turned somewhat strange. If they had to be described, they looked more like restrained gloating, as though they shared some secret and were delighted to see someone unaware of it make a spectacular fool of himself.
Schiller did not make eye contact with any of them. He simply walked straight to the dining room entrance off the living room, glanced inside, and then exchanged pleasantries with the attendant at the door.
Bale-Batman came downstairs next. He wore a dark blue suit and a muted gold tie with a small emblem in the middle. Unfortunately, it was only a seagull, not a bat.
He had removed his cowl. His hair fell over his forehead, his stubble had not been completely shaved away, and his collar was not entirely straightened. Overall, it leaned more toward casual formalwear, making him look very young and fashionable.
The gloating in everyone's eyes grew